Loom harness



Jan. 25, 1955 E. PFARRWALLER LOOM HARNESS Sheds-Sheet l Filed March 21;v 1951 IIIIIJ lyjy- K R. E m .M Ne 0 Vga L l WL .A A awww /A mv. PB m w R E ,m 4. 4 56. 3 4.

A. Z4 6 (M 4 Jan. 25, 1955 E..PFARRWAL| ER 2,700,399

LOOM HARNESS Filed March 21, 1951 :s sheets-sheet 2 NVENTOR. Erewl N PFAREWALLER ATTORNEY.

Jan. 25,l 1955 E. PFARRWALLER LOOM AHARNESS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTOR. Ef? w//v PFA REW/4L L El? Filed March 2l 1951 United States Patent() VLOOM HARNESS Erwin Pfarrwaller, Winterthur, Switzerland, assignor t Sulzer Freres, Societe Anonyme, Winterthur, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Application March 21, 1951, Serial No. 216,701

Claims priority, application Switzerland March 24, 1950 10 Claims. (Cl. 139-92) The present invention relates to a harness for looms for weaving and more particularly to new and improved means for removably connecting rails supporting the heddles to the harness frame.

It is conventional to removably connect the ends of the rails on which the heddles are suspended with posts or stay members at the ends of the harness frame. To prevent bending and rattling of the rails during weaving, brackets are provided on the longitudinal top and bottom members of the 'frame for connecting the rails to the frame. These brackets are equally spaced and distributed over the length of the harness frame and either rigidly connected with the frame or adapted to be slid or moved along the longitudinal frame members. In harness frames for very wide looms, particularly looms having no superstructure and in which the frames are actuated from below or at the sides, one or a plurality of intermediate posts or stays are provided between the side members of the frame. These intermediate posts which may be adapted to be moved laterally or may be removably inserted in the frame are for the purpose of maintaining a predetermined distance between the upper and lower frame members over the whole length of the frame for accurately defining the position of the rails supporting the heddles.

vIn high-speed looms and looms in which the harnesses are actuated from below, rigid connection of the intermediate posts with the top and bottom frame bars is preferred. Movable and removable posts are likely to change their position or become disconnected, causing disturbances in the iiow of the warp or damage to the harness.

In conventional harnesses with rigidly connected intermediate posts, the harness is subdivided into individual portions or elds of definite width, and the heddles cannot be moved from one field into another. When setting up the warp, a certain number of heddles must be placed in each field depending on the desired density of the warp. lf errors are made or the distribution of the heddles cannot be determined exactly before weaving is started, certain warp threads may be bent at the posts causing undesired stress on the threads, breakage thereof, and weaving inaccuracies. Redistribution of the heddles in the individual fields of a harness having rigidly connected posts can be effected only by cutting out the surplus heddles in one field and inserting missing heddles in the adjacent field.

It is an object of the invention to provide a harness in which the rails on which the heddles are suspended are connected to the harness frame in such a manner that they can be applied and removed in a direction substantially at a right angle to the plane of theharness, whereby the heddles can be moved along the rails when the latter are disconnected. The connection is of the snap-on and off type and includes resilient means for resiliently pressing the rails against their supports and maintaining the resilient pressure as long as the rail is connected. This prevents rattling even if the loom operates at high speed. The snap-on connection comprises a pin means extending at a right angle to the plane of the l 2,700,399 Patented Jan. 25, 1955 engagement of the neck portion and theA connected rail. Resiliency is provided either by providing a slot extending from the aperture longitudinally of the rail or by making the aperture in the form of a longitudinal slot. The parts of the rail alongside the slot are resiliently deformed when the rail is snapped on. The invention 'also provides means for preventing longitudinal movement of the rail to assure that the pin means or knobs remain in the middle of the slot in cases where there is no aperture in the middle of the slot which is wider than the slot. Alternatively, resiliency of the snap-on connection may be produced by axially slicing the pin means or knob and neck. In this case, no slot is needed in the rail and the knob is resilient instead of the rail.

Further and other objects of the present invention will be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying speciflcation and claims, and shown in the drawings which, by way of illustration, show what I now consider to be preferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front view of a harness according to the invention, together with a drive mechanism shown partly in section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the harness illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the harness shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side View of -a snap-on connection used in the harness shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the detail shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a large scale horizontal sectional view of a post forming part of a heddle support frame according to the invention;

Fig. 7 is a large scale horizontal sectional View of a modified post according to the invention;

Fig. 7a is a large scale horizontal sectional view of a f urther modification of a post according to the invention; l

Fig. 8 is a part sectional front view of a post and heddle suspension rails according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of the post and rails illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front view of a modified snap-on connection according to the invention;

Fig. 11 is a front view of a further modification of a snap-on connection according to the invention;

Fig. l2 is a transverse sectional view of the snap-on connection shown in Fig. l1;

Fig. 13 is a front view of another modification of a snap-on connection according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view of the snap-,on connection shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a front view of a modied harness frame according to the invention;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view of the frame shown in Fig. l5, the section being taken along line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15.

Like parts are designated by like numerals in all figures of the drawings. y

Referring more particularly to Fig. l of the drawings, numeral 10 designates a harness having a lower frame bar 11, an upper frame bar 12, lateral frame bars 13, intermediate frame bars or posts 14, and longitudinal heddle carrier rails or bars 16 and 17 on which the hed- 'dles 18 are filed. The rails 16 and 17 are removably connected with rail supports or holders 15 which are rigidly connected with the frame bars 11 and 12. The harness 10 is reciprocated up and down in conventional manner by a mechanism comprising a shaft 20 rotated by the loom drive and a disc 21 rotated by said shaft and having a guide groove receiving a pin at the end of a rod 22 for axially reciprocating the latter. A plurality of elbow levers 23 are pivotally supported by a stationary part ,of the loom, each lever having an end swingably con- -nected with rod 22 and another end swingably connected with the lower end of a vertical connecting member 24. The upper ends of members 24 are connected with the lower frame bar 11.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the ends of the rails 16 and` the lateral lframe bars 13 and in the intermediate posts 14. The rails are supplementally supported by the supports or holders 15 having pin or oblong'knob portions 28 individually extending into longitudinal slots 29 of the rails. The latter connection is more clearly shown in-Figs.-4and 5.

The pin portions 2S'have a rectangularsectional configuration and have a neck portion 33 and-a wedge-shaped head 32'having wedge surfaces 30. The widthh of the neek'portion 33 is greater than the width b of the slot 29. The latter is sufciently long so that the rail portions 34 adjacent to the slot are `resiliently pushed apart by the head 32 and not permanently deformed When the rail-is pressedfonto the pin portion 32 in the direction `of arrow 31 in Fig. 5 with the pin extending through the slot 29. Since'the :neck portion 33 is somewhat wider than the slot 29, the rail portions 34 are permanently resiliently pressed to the neckportion and rattling vof the rail on the pin is prevented. In cases where'the length of the rails 16, y17 isa multiple of the distance between two intermediate posts 14 or a'post and a lateral frame bar'1'3, theposts not coinciding with an end offa rail are providedl with headed pins'or knobs 28 of the same kind as the supports or Yholders 15 and as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

Connection according'tol the invention of the rails 16 and 1'7 with theheddle frame by knobs 2S extending substantiallyat a right angle to the plane of the harness affords quick disconnection ofthe rails in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the harness and preventsstretching, as'well as buckling, of the heddles`18. The latter need not be moved along the rails for disconnecting the rails, asin conventional arrangements, in whichthe rails must be moved longitudinally for being disconnected and special locking* means must be provided for holdingtherails in place. No loose part or parts which must be moved arerequiredforthe connection according to the invention, although'the connection of the rails to their support means 11 to 15 is rigid, rattle-proof, and can be released andconnected without special tools. The heddles 18 can be conveniently moved along therails 16, 17 past the"knobs128`when the connection is released.

"Figs, 6and 7 illustrate two modiiications of means .for holding the ends of the railsin the posts 14. In the mo'diiication according toFig. 6, 'the` slots 26 are arranged in staggered relation providing endabutments 35jfo1' the rails 16. In the modication according to Fig.`7, the slots 36 are in line and do not extend through the post. The rails are placed in the same plane and their ends abut the post portion 37 between the slots or recesses 36. `Of course, theslot 36 may kextend through the post 14, and a pin 37' may be provided as an end abutment for the rails, as shown in Figf7a.

In the modification of the connection of thefends of two railsin apost 14 shown in Figs. 8 and.9,.a slot or aperture 38 extends through Vthe post, and the end of each rail 16 is provided with a recess 38 leaving a shoulder 40 abutting against the post 14 forpreventing longitudinal displacement of the rail.

Fig. l0 illustrates a variation of the means for making a rail 416 resilient for pushing it onto the knob 28. A narrow'longitudinal slot 41has a rectangularenlargement or aperture 42 for slipping on and off the knob 28 leaving abutments 43, preventing longitudinal displacement of the rail. The portions 44 of the latter yield when the rail is connected to or disconnected Vfrom the post or holder. If the rail extends past several lholders 15 and/or posts 14, only one longitudinal slot need be made according to Fig. 10 for preventing longitudinal displacement of the rail; the other slots may-be formed as shown in Fig. `4.

-Longitudinal displacement of the rails'by means such as shown in Figs. 6 to l0 must be prevented if parts 34 or 440i the rails are made resilient for the snap-on connection according to the invention, because the distance of the knob 2S from the ends 45 or 46 of the slots.29or 41, respectively, must not be changed materially. If the knob is not located substantially in the center of avslot, parts 34 or'44 of the rails are bent and permanently deformed when the rail is snapped on or off a knob. Of course, the slots could be made longer to preventthis, but this is undesirable as it weakens the rail and reduces theresilient clamping effect ofthe connection. A The rails cannot be made wider because they would then not "fit the standardized size of the eyes at the ends of the heddles.

In'the modification shown in Figs. 11 and '12, the pin or knob 47 instead of the rail is made resiliently yielding by providing a slot 48 splitting the knob into two yielding legs 49 which are temporarily pressed together when the rail 16 is applied or removed: and which remain under pressure as long as thefrail is applied. The latter is provided with an aperture 50 conforming substantially with the lknob and being narrower than the-neck of the knob for compressin-githe latter as long as the rail is mounted on post 14 (or a holder 15).

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a modification having a round knob 51 vextending through an aperture .52 in rail 16 which is larger thanthe head of the knob. The resiliently yielding means consist of aplate spring 53 which is connected by rivets 54 or other suitable means to the rail and has two branches 55 straddling the knob. The slot between the branches 5S is so dimensioned that they remain resiliently pressed to the knob as long as the rail 16 is connected tothe-post 14. The cross-section of'the rail 16 with the plate 55 is smaller'than the eyes at the ends of theheddlesand the latter can be slipped past'the portion of the rail illustrated in Figs. l3^and 14.

The connections according to `the invention can Ybe used in harnesses having rail "holders 15 only and no intermediate posts 14.

vWhile I believe the abovevdescribed embodiments of my-invention to be-preferred embodiments, I wish it `to be understood that I do `not'desire to be limited to the exact details of design and construction shown and described, 'for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

'I claim:

l. A loomharness comprising a frame, support means rigidly connected with said'frame, heddles having eyes, a rail extending through said eyes for supporting'said heddles, an aperture in said rail, knob means'extending fromsaid support means substantially ata right anglez-to the plane ofthe harness and through said aperture, said knob means having a wedge'shaped front portion, a Wedge shaped rear portion, and a narrow throat portion between said rear portion and said support means; said knob means or said'rail adjacent to said aperture, being resiliently yielding and affording snapping said rail on and off said knob meansin'the'direction ofthe longitudinal'axis of theknob means and pressingthe rail and knob meansagainst one another when the rail is on the knob means for normal operation of the harness.

2. A'loom harness comprising support means, heddles having eyes, a raill extending through said eyes for supporting said heddles, an aperture in said rail, knob means rigidly connected with and extending from said support means substantially at a right angle to the plane of the f harnessand through said aperture, said knob means being compressible and affording snapping said rail on and 01T said knob means in the direction of the longitudinal axis of'said'knob means andpressing the rail and knob means against one another when the rail is on the knob means for normal operation of the harness.

"3. A loom harness comprising support means, heddles having eyes, a rail Aextendingthrough said .eyes for .supporting said ,heddles, an aperture'in said rail, and a resiliently yielding snap-on and oiiconnection ,between said support means and said rail, said connection comprising a part rigidly connected with and extending from said support means at substantially, a right angle to the plane of the harness and throughsaid aperture, said aperture and said part having a rectangular configuration longitudinally of therail, .said part having an oblong wedge-shapedhead portion, the longitudinal axis and the wedge surfaces of saidthead portion being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

4. A loom harness comprisinga frame having intermediate posts, heddles having eyes, a rail extending through said eyes for supporting said heddles, an. aperture in said rail, and a resiliently yielding snap-on andoff connection between said .posts and said rail and ,comprising a part having. aneck andra headportion and .extendingrfrom saidl posts at substantially a right angle`to the plane of the harness and being adapted `to be forced through said aperture in the directionof the'longitudinal axis of ,said part.

`5. VA loom harness as defined in claim4,.said part .being 'integral with and 'forming a portionof said posts.

6. A loom harness comprising a frame, holding means connected therewith, heddles having eyes, a heddle bar extending through said eyes for supporting said heddles, a resiliently yielding snap-on and o connection between said bar and said holding means, said frame including post means having a recess for receiving an end of said rail and an abutment abutting against the end of said bar for limiting longitudinal movement of the latter.

7. A loom harness comprising a frame, holding means connected therewith, heddles having eyes, a rail member extending through said eyes for supporting said heddles, a resiliently yielding snap-on and off connection between said rail and said holding means, said frame including post means having an aperture, said rail having a crosssection larger than said aperture and having an end portion ii'tting into said aperture and forming an abutment on said rail abutting against said post means for preventing longitudinal movement of said rail.

8. A loom harness comprising support means, heddles having eyes, a rail extending through said eyes for supporting said heddles, an aperture in said rail, pin means extending from said support means substantially at a right angle to the plane of the harness and through said aperture, and a slot extending from said aperture longitudinally of said rail, said pin means having a head portion and a neck portion larger than said aperture in a direction at a right angle to said slot and said rail being resilient adjacent to said slot for affording snapping said rail on and otl said pin means over said head portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said pin means and pressing the rail to said neck portion when the rail is on the pin means, said slot being narrower than said aperture and forming an abutment therewith abutting against said neck portion when the rail is on the pin means for preventing longitudinal movement of the rail.

9. A loom harness comprising a frame, support means rigidly connected with said frame, heddles having eyes, a heddle bar extending through said eyes for supporting said heddles, a slot in said bar, connecting means extending through said slot and being rigidly connected with said support means and having a head having a wedge like front portion, a wedge like rear portion, and a neck portion between said rear portion and said support means, said slot being narrower than said neck portion when said bar is oft" said connecting means.

10. A loom harness comprising support means, heddles having eyes, a rail extending through said eyes for supporting said heddles, an aperture in said rail, knob means extending from said support means substantially at a right angle to the plane of the harness and through said aperture, and a slot extending from said aperture longitudinally of said rail, said knob means having a head portion and a neck portion larger than said aperture in a direction at a right angle to said slot and said rail being resilient adjacent to said slot for aording snapping said rail on and off said knob means over said head portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said knob means and pressing the rail to said neck portion when the rail is on the knob means, said slot being narrower than said aperture and forming an abutment therewith abutting against said neck portion when the rail is on the knob means for preventing longitudinal movement of the rail.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,896,875 Walters Feb. 7, 1933 1,922,922 Andrews Aug. 15, 1933 2,047,511 Kaufmann July 14, 1936 2,100,017 Van Uum Nov. 23, 1937 2,445,070 Kaufmann July 13, 1948 2,556,468 Consoletti June 21, 1951 2,572,111 Consoletti Oct. 23, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 514,375 France Nov. 13, 1920 

